Vietnam Visa Guide Realizing Your Child Doesn’t Have a Visa Right Before Departure? Emergency Vietnam Visa Application Guide

This emergency Vietnam visa application guide will tell you in detail: whether your child needs a visa, which expedited methods are feasible, and important considerations during the application process, allowing you to handle last-minute situations with ease!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Does Your Child Need a Vietnam Visa? This is the Most Overlooked Step!

Many parents mistakenly believe that minor children are exempt from visas. However, Vietnam’s regulations are very clear: All foreign citizens, regardless of age, must hold a valid visa to enter Vietnam.

The key factor in determining if a child needs a separate visa application is whether they have their own passport:

💡 Reminder: Visa fees for children are usually the same as for adults.

🏃‍♀️ Vietnam Emergency Visa (Urgent Visa) Options and Process

If you discover just days before departure, or even right before your flight, that your child doesn’t have a visa, you need to seek an “Emergency Visa” or “Expedited Service.” Currently, the fastest methods are through Urgent E-Visa or Urgent Visa on Arrival Approval Letter.

1. Emergency Electronic Visa (Urgent E-Visa)

The Emergency E-Visa shortens the standard 3-7 working day processing time, allowing you to receive the e-Visa within a few hours to 1-2 working days.

Application Process (Recommended via Agency)

Since the official website does not offer an “expedite” option and processing times are uncertain, it is highly recommended to seek assistance from a reputable visa agency for extremely urgent situations. They usually have dedicated channels to expedite the review.

• Apply Online Instantly (Select E-Visa): https://www.vietnam-visa.hk/apply-vietnam-visa/ Or immediately contact the agency’s 24-hour online customer service (e.g., email: info@vietnam-visa.hk LINE/WeChat: vietnam-visa). Inform them you need a “Vietnam E-Visa Urgent Service” and your exact departure date.

• Prepare Documents: Immediately provide the child’s (and accompanying persons’) passport information page photo, digital portrait photo (white background), and flight itinerary screenshot.

• Pay Fees: Pay the urgent processing fee and visa fee.

• Wait for Issuance: The agency will expedite and follow up on the application.

• Receive Visa: Once you receive the E-Visa PDF file, be sure to print it out; you need to present it for both boarding and immigration.

2. Emergency Visa on Arrival Approval Letter (Urgent VOA)

Although it’s called “Visa on Arrival,” you must obtain an “Approval Letter” before boarding your flight. The emergency VOA speeds up the acquisition time of this Approval Letter.

Application Process (Recommended via Agency)

Similarly, it is recommended to obtain the “Approval Letter” through an agency.

• Contact Agency Instantly: https://www.vietnam-visa.hk/apply-vietnam-visa/ Contact an agency, inform them you need an “Urgent Vietnam Visa on Arrival Approval Letter” and your exact departure date.

• Prepare Documents: Immediately provide the child’s passport information page photo and flight itinerary screenshot.

• Pay Fees: Pay the urgent processing fee and Approval Letter fee.

• Receive Approval Letter: Once you receive the Approval Letter (PDF), be sure to print it out; you need to present it for boarding.

• Upon Arrival at Vietnam Airport:

  • Go to the “Visa on Arrival” counter.

  • Submit the Approval Letter, the child’s passport, a completed Entry/Exit form (available at the counter, can be filled by parents), and 2 passport-sized photos (4×6 cm).

  • Pay the Stamping Fee (usually $25 USD in cash).

  • Wait for the official visa to be issued.

🌟 Pro Tip: If you choose the urgent VOA service, agencies often provide VIP Fast Track service. This means upon arrival at the Vietnam airport, a staff member will guide you and assist in quickly completing the landing visa procedures, saving you time waiting in line at the airport.

📄 Essential Document Checklist for Emergency Child Visa Application

Regardless of the expedited method chosen, please prepare the following documents as digital files (photos or scans) for immediate transmission to the agency or upload:

• Scanned copy or clear photo of the child’s passport data page: Passport must be valid for more than six months.

• Digital portrait photo of the child: (4x6cm or 2×2 inches, white background, taken within the last six months).

• Accurate entry/exit dates and port of entry name.

• Accommodation address in Vietnam.

• Parents’ contact information and email address.

• Flight itinerary screenshot (to prove the urgency of your departure time).

🚨 Key Considerations: Avoid Mistakes in the Rush!

• Double-Check Information: Even for urgent applications, incorrect information (especially name, passport number, date of birth, entry port) can lead to visa rejection or invalidation. Check carefully before submitting!

• Higher Cost: Emergency visa fees are significantly higher than standard processing fees, covering the administrative costs of expedited handling.

• Mind the Time Difference: Vietnam time (GMT+7) is 1 hour behind Taiwan/Hong Kong time (Vietnam is slower). When calculating urgent processing times, be sure to base it on Vietnam’s local working days and times.

• Choosing an Agency: The official website does not accept expedited requests. In urgent situations, using an experienced, reputable agency is the path with the highest success rate and fastest turnaround.

Although discovering your child doesn’t have a visa might make you panic at first, as long as you stay calm and immediately contact a professional urgent service, you and your child can smoothly embark on your family trip to Vietnam. Wish you a pleasant journey.